When did you start loving sneakers?
I think now, I would have to say, I’m staring at that picture right there… [She had sketched some old sneakers while waiting for the interview, including pairs from 5th to 12th grade.] I think it would be, like, 5th, 6th grade. I think. Cuz that’s what I remember. That pair of sneakers was AWESOME to me. [Pointing to her drawing of a sky blue low top with rainbow stripes]. I think it might come from growing up with three other siblings and all having to wear army green, I don’t even think they were a brand name either, but kind of a Pro Ked kind of army green, four different sizes and you just kind of handed them down. So when I finally got to have a pair that had color in them…
You busted out the rainbow!
I LOVED them. And I think playing softball, one of the coaches, who was like, 16, told me, “Those are really cool. I like the stripe on the side.” So after that I was just, “Yea. The older girls like them too.” [Imitating herself.] You know.

A discussion on what to do with new sneakers…
Alright, how I pick ‘em. Like I said, I go, check them all out. They have to speak to me. And then they come home with me…if I come right home usually I put them on, walk around the house in them. I can tell you that I still, at 37 years old, whenever I get new sneakers I wear them to bed at night. I don’t sleep the whole night. But I ALWAYS, no lie, always put ‘em on down here watching TV, I’ll go up to bed with them on, I’ll lay in bed, feet out so I can look at them, and then take them off just before I…
That’s awesome! I love that. When did that start?
Oh, I did that back on Highland Street [where I met her in 7th grade], so probably as soon as I, probably high school.
As soon as you started having sneakers you…
That were worth it!
That’s so cute!
Absolutely I do. Sometimes a few nights, until I wear them outside, I’ll take them upstairs and wear them while laying in bed. You have to like, check them out. That’s a good way to check them out, you know, your feet are up, and…
I remember like, putting them on top of their box…in my room so I could see them.
Yea?
Yea, and like moving them around and looking at them at different angles.
Yea, yea..
But I never wore them to bed.
LB: I still do.

How much would you pay for a pair of sneakers?
Wow. I mean, honestly? As I get older, I admit I get cheaper. But I’ve certainly paid the, the standard, aren’t they usually like 84 or 95 for a new, whatever, New Balance. I’ve paid that for a pair of New Balance running shoes. Honestly, I would probably pay, I would pay 150…I would absolutely, if I loved that pair…if that was the one, I don’t just whip that around. 200 dollars? You’re getting a little high, if that was even a real price. But I would pay …I certainly don’t sit and wait around for them to go on sale. Never have. If you can get them on sale, in your size, but…My friend Holly has yelled at me for years. Because she’ll wait it out, go for the sale, and bring the coupon! And I’m like, you know what? They might not be there on that day!